Failure to pick up trash in the yard has been an issue as of late throughout the Arkansas River Valley.

Although there may be some understandable circumstances for not picking up trash immediately, we commend our law enforcement officials who are doing something to keep the neighborhoods neat and respectable.

We urge those who have let littering become a problem to follow in the footsteps of the cities taking action.

Littering is a very serious problem everywhere, but it often goes ignored until one person decides to stand up and do something about it. Usually, others will follow.

As springtime is almost here, the sun will be shining and the grass will be greener. During the coming months, more people will go outside and notice the trash not picked up, which means it is extra important for the local police to enforce the ordinances on the books.

That does not necessarily mean writing a ticket every time there is a violation.

The city of Danville has done an excellent job in using disgression. It looks at each situation individually, reviews the circumstances involved, gives warnings and only imposes fines when absolutely necessary.

Picking up trash is not about enforcing rules or collecting fines. It is about beautifying neighborhoods.

Hopefully, when trash laws are enforced, it will deter other individuals from littering in the future.

We would also like to see picking up trash become a habit for everyone so the police do not ever have to issue even a single warning. That goal may be unrealistic, but it gives us something to shoot for at all times.

Trash laws should be enforced on everyone equally whether it is a citizen walking down the street, a property owner or a renter.

Now is a good time for all city and county governments to check and see if there is an ordinance in the books, which gives them the authority to enforce trash laws.

If any city or county discovers there is no such ordinance, we encourage the government to pass legislation to enforce trash laws.

It will help the individual who picks up the trash, the surrounding area, the entire community and make the River Valley an even nicer place to live than it already is.